The origins of the Ogdan name lie with England's ancient
Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived near an oak valley, or came from the place called Ogden, in West
Yorkshire. The surname Ogdan derives from the Old English words
ac and
denu, which mean
oak and
valley, respectively. Other records show the surname Ogdan originating in
Somerset, but became prominent in Lancashire.
Early Origins of the Ogdan family
The surname Ogdan was first found in West
Yorkshire at Ogden, a small hamlet north of Halifax. Historically part of
Lancashire, this hamlet was where Elias de Akeden, de Aggeden was listed the Assize Rolls of that shire in 1246. Almost one
hundred years later, Richard de Okeden was listed in the
Subsidy Rolls of
Lancashire in 1332.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) "This family name, so familiar to South Lancashire, sprang up in the neighbourhood of Crompton and [in the] parish of Rochdale."
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) The
Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list John de Okedon in Yorkshire.
Early History of the Ogdan family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ogdan research.
Another 175 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ogdan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Ogdan Spelling Variations
Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason,
spelling variations are commonly found in early
Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Ogdan were recorded, including Ogden, Okden, Oakden, Ogdon, Odgen and others.
Early Notables of the Ogdan family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Ogdan Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Ogdan family to the New World and Oceana
To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from
England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Ogdan family emigrate to North America: David Ogden settled in Delaware Bay in 1682; Randall Ogden arrived in Barbados in 1634; John Ogden arrived in Connecticut in 1635; Charles, David, Emmanual, Henry, James, John, Samuel, Robert and William Ogden all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..
The Ogdan Motto
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Et si ostendo non jacto
Motto Translation: And if I show I do not boast.